Yesterday’s loss to the Canberra Raiders has seen the Gold Coast Titans miss a chance to keep themselves in the hunt for a top eight berth.
After such a strong start to the year, winning six out of the first eight matches, their season appears to have gone off the rails. They have one win from the last eight weeks.
Since joining the NRL, the Titans have only been in the finals twice from seven seasons. They have been unable to reach the finals since 2010, when Scott Prince led the side to the one win from the grand final.
If they’re unable to reach the finals for the fourth consecutive year, some changes must be made.
Injuries have been a concern this season, with Aiden Sezer and Albert Kelly suffering long stints on the sideline. The loss of these two, as well as Jamal Idris before the season began, has been unfortunate.
The Titans have a number of strong young players coming through the grades who will only get better, including Paul Carter, James Roberts, Matt Srama, Kevin Gordon, David Mead, Sezer and Kelly. They also have Origin stars Greg Bird, Dave Taylor and Nate Myles.
This team is a strong mixture of experience and youth. A very strong team on paper who just can’t perform to their potential.
David Mead and Brad Takairangi are both currently playing out of position. David Mead has shown he has the potential to be an exciting prospect at fullback. He needs to be moved back there for William Zillman, who should move to the centres.
Brad Takairangi looked like a very strong young player at the Roosters playing in the backrow. His form there was superb compared to his current position, centre. He needs to return to the edges so a speedster can play in the centres, such as Zillman or Maurice Blair.
It is important for these two to move as soon as possible and begin the rebuilding for future years to come.
The loss of Ashley Harrison will impact the Titans for next year, they’re losing a smart footballer and a great personality. The signing of Daniel Mortimer was brilliant – he is a fantastic footballer, who will presumably be playing in the hooking role from next year when Sezer returns.
Lastly, the coach. It’s time to move on from John Cartwright. He’s a smart coach who would be valuable in a coaching administration role but it’s time to bring in some fresh ideas and style to help transform this Titans side to a premiership force.
A 47 per cent win rate since taking over the Titans in 2007 is quite simply not good enough. It’s time to try their hand on the market, or look at the possibility of Neil Henry moving from assistant to fulltime coach.
What do you think? How would you get the Titans to a premiership force?
Twitter – @Joshayyyy21
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